Anyone who picks Calzaghe over Toney in their prime obviously has never seen Toney in his prime. He had serious power at 168 and he was a super-accurate hard-punching counter puncher with great hand speed. The fight would not be close. Toney would ko/tko him as would have RJJ.
I don't think it's ridiculous to pick Calzaghe. In and out movement and lateral movement is the way to beat Toney. Calzaghe has this.
Not even particularly competitive, Calzaghe doesn't even have a punchers chance as Toney is pure stone. Toney by late stoppage in a schooling.
Calzaghe UD Whilst Toney is an awesome counter puncher and very effective against volume punchers JC changes his games plan to use his better footwork moving in and out behind the jab.
See, I don't see his lateral movement as such a big plus for Joe C. Toney's not a mover himself, he forces guys to come in, which fits right into his plan. Joe's more of a, 'get in and get out' mover it seems. He come in to punch, and moves back after. I think Toney's accuracy and hard punches would slow Joes down A LOT and cut his punch output quite a bit. Toney's landed over 400 punches a couple times as a pro. And Joe's merely average on defense. I see Toney winning quite clear here.
Sad thing is, I like Joe a lot. But some of his overzealous fans are getting just ridiculous. Three years ago NO ONE was that high on Joe C, and it's not like he's done all that much since. Sure the win ofer Kessler was great, but until Kessler does more himself, it was just a good win over a good fighter.
Fair enough:good I just see Toney struggling to get into a counter punching rhythm with Calzaghe's in and out movement. Calzaghe's a smart fighter, so I see him being more defensive in this fight, aware of Toney's straight right hand counters. Instead of swarming Toney, throwing loads of punches, and leaving himself open, I see him fighting an intelligent in-and-out fight, using his jab to get in close, firing off a few punches, and moving back out where, I believe, he has an advantage with his height and speed of hand and foot. I realize Jones is on another level than Calzaghe, so I wont mention him. But I've also seen Toney struggle with Michael Nunn's speed/movement and Tim Little's in-and-out strategy before he decked him.
Which is what people don't seem to realize about Toney. He looked great against brawlers or boxers who stood within range to be hit, but against movers he was made to look more ordinary because he couldn't rely on countering in the pocket like he so loved. Jones was a better fighter and a worse style matchup for Toney, as he didn't get dragged into brawls like Calzaghe does, but still, Calzaghe's in and out speed, combined with his own crafty inside skills would make him a very difficult opponent for someone who relies on countering from a stationary position. This fight would be a lot closer than the fight with Jones, being as Toney would have more countering opportunities and would take advantage of some, but Calzaghe's style I believe presents James with more troubles than vice versa.